Remembrance Day 2014: Record-Breaking Sales Lead To Poppy Shortage In Canada

A record-breaking number of poppy sales has led to a potential poppy shortage in Canada.

With four days to go until Remembrance Day, CBC News reports 19 million poppies have already been sold across the country this year. Last year, the campaign distributed 18 million.

According to Global News, the demand for poppies is the highest it's ever been since the poppies were first sold in Canada in 1922.

The Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command, the organization in charge of poppy distribution and donation collection in Canada, says some legions may run out of poppies. They've already asked their manufacturer to increase production, but there will have to be a dramatic increase for the organization's goal to be met.

"I'd like to see 35 million poppies have been distributed, so every Canadian is wearing a poppy," president Tom Eagles told Global News.

“It’s everything from the operations and the end of the war in Afghanistan this year, to the current (airborne bombing) operations against ISIS, and then, obviously, the lone-wolf homegrown terrorism aspect,” Legion spokesperson Bruce Poulin told the Ottawa Citizen.

With more Canadians wearing poppies to pay homage to fallen soldiers, donations have also increased. Last year's campaign raised $14.5 million, according to the Citizen. Donations helped provide wheelchairs, walkers and ramps to veterans.

While this year's numbers won't be known until April, they are expected to be significantly higher.